|
Newsletter, December 2005 It is a snowy wintry evening in Huemoz. A few of us are about to brave the icy roads to attend a Christmas concert put on by the students of one of the international schools in Villars, the village just 5 minutes drive up the road from L’Abri. The snow came a lot earlier than it did last year, which is good for the ski slopes just above us. Soon the tourists will descend on Villars for the Christmas ski season and the small ski resort village will be inundated with people enjoying their winter vacations. It is very beautiful at the moment as everything is blanketed in quite a thick layer of crisp snow and tomorrow, if the sun shines, it will be spectacular. This past term we had around 27 students with us at any one time. They have mostly left now for the Christmas break, but we are expecting about 8 of them to return next term as helpers or continuing students, along with the other new students in January. Many of the students who have just left were with us for the full term – some three months - and experienced a very busy and somewhat intense time, but with a lot of interaction as they shared community living. Many life long friendships were made. We had three helpers working with us this term, who did a great job, and have now gone back to either the US or to Australia where it is hot and where we usually enjoy the Christmas holidays at the beach – a contrast to here. We enjoyed many interesting lectures and discussions this term given either by Richard, Eden, Greg, Karen or Karryn. Topics included, spirituality, Radical Orthodoxy, gender and feminism. We appreciated lectures from two guest lecturers, Joe Martin, and Ranald Macaulay, who both gave generously of their time. And as usual, we had many lively and thought provoking ‘formal lunches’, where one discussion takes place around the lunch table, about any topic or question which a student brings us for that day. We usually have a variety of discussions depending on what students are studying etc. For example, we discussed gender roles, censorship in the Arts, doubt, cynicism, and ‘what do we do when things don’t go the way we are expecting’, to name a few topics that we discussed at some of my formal lunches. This term we also had Arts Week, which was a full week, dedicated specifically to the Arts. We were very thankful for the input Ellis Potter gave us regarding, the visual arts and music, and the students, as usual, valued Ellis’ time spent with us for a few days, with his wife Mary. Karen Sandri lectured on Matisse and Picasso, while Karryn gave an introductory lecture to an exhibition titled, ‘French Painting in the Collection of the State Pushkin Museum of Fine Arts in Moscow’, which was showing at the Gianadda Museum in Martigny a town not far from us. It was an excellent collection of paintings spanning French Classisicm in the 1600s to the early 20th century. We took the students to view the exhibition later in the week. Eden and a student, Catherine, both taught dance workshops, and some of the students did a play reading and discussion which we all enjoyed. Finally, many of the students gave some excellent performances, during our final ‘student performance evening’ which was the finale of Arts Week. It always amazes me to hear and experience some of the astounding talents that some of the students have. Over all, I think it was a very good week. Sadly, Karen Sandri, who has been a valued part of the work here, will no longer be helping with meals and tutoring etc. But, we do look forward to some future lectures from her. Karen Bradford is travelling to Canada for a period of time to be with her sister, who is expecting a stem cell transfusion. Richard and the children, Simon and Alexis, remain in Switzerland for the children to continue with school, but are hoping Karen can be back for Christmas. Kay, Jasie and Eden, have been doing a great job running the ever-busy student chalet, Bellevue. During terms, it is a hive of activity and the workers in Bellevue work out a lot of the day-to-day living demands. All the students live in Bellevue during the term and most of the meals are prepared and eaten there. It is where most of their living takes place when they are not studying in Farel House, attending lectures, participating in work crews or having meals at the other chalets. Kay, Jasie and Eden will be back in the US to spend Christmas with their families. The rest of us are remaining here and will be busy with our families and/or preparing lectures etc for the next term. It is wonderful to be able to report that Mrs Schaeffer was well enough to take a trip to the USA in October, accompanied by Jane. She had a good visit with friends and family, spending time at Rochester L’Abri. Shortly after her return, she celebrated her 91st birthday and then was with Lisby and Greg, and Prisca and John in Huemoz for Thanksgiving Day. Mrs Schaeffer continues to live in her apartment in Gryon most of the time, and is well cared for by her family and Jane. Once again, we enjoyed the company of a dedicated group of people from Canada who gave enthusiastically and relentlessly of their time to do some much needed maintenance work in some of our chalets, especially Chalet Melezes and Bellevue. We really appreciated their time and other resources that they poured into helping us here. They even cooked up a terrific meal for their Canadian Thanksgiving, which we shared with them. Finally, in our busyness or simply our fun, and especially within our cultures that emphasise commercialism and materialism, it is easy to forget the true reason for celebrating Christmas: For unto us a Child is born, Upon the throne of David and over His kingdom, The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this. (Isaiah 9:6-7) And, it is all too easy to forget those who do not have what we have. Grace and Peace, Karryn Goldsworthy.
|
 |
